Electric switch.



H. J GARRIGAN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Arrmoulox FILED d1119.9, 1909.

. z annua-sum1.

l 996,615. Patented Ju1""4, 1911.

H. J. CARRIGAN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLIUATIONIILED AUG. 9, 190s.

Patented July 4,1911. v

2 SHEBTS-BHEET 2.

4UNITED STATES' PATENT oEEioE..

HENEY'J. 'CAEEIGAN OP BUPPALO, NEW YORK, AssiGNOE To vAUTO SAFETY SPECIALTY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OE NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

" Specification of Iietters Patent.

Application ined Auguste, i909. seriai No., 511,847.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY J. CARRIGAN,

. a citizen of the United States, vresiding at Buffalo, in the countyof Erie and State of NewYork, have inventeda new and useful Improvement in vElectric Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a combination electric switch which is provided with a plu- A ralit-y of contacts some of which are active' and others inactive so that the electric ciicuit can onlybe closed when the proper con- -tacts are in engagement, the remaining contacts being in reserve for changing the combination of the elect-ric switch when it. is desirable to do so.

A switch of this character is-vparticularly desirable for controlling the electric ignir. tion system of lhydrocarbon engines which driive automobiles or motor boats for the purpose of preventing illicit use ofthe same lbut this switch may also be used for controlling other lelectriccircuits.

It' is the object lof this invention/fo provide a switch of-this character which willl permit the person in possessionl of the com-f bination to readily place the diffei'entmem- Of'2 sheets: Figure 1 insulating material. D, is arranged ,a cap having a cylindrical body bers ofthe switch in such position that the electric circuit will be closed but which when out ofregister renders it exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, for one not acquainted with ythe proper combination to place the parts of the switch again in sueh'positi-on as will `effect a closing of the electric circuit. In the accompanying drawings consisting is a front elevation of my improved elect-ric switch. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the samer vFig. .3 is a vertical longitudinal section in line 3i- 3, Fig. 4. Fig. 4 `is a vertical transverse sectionin line 4 4. Fig. 3. Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary longitudinal sections taken iny the correspondingly numbered lines in Fig. 3. Fig. 7 isa perspective view of one .of the baffles whereby one of the movable contacts may be movedi` out of engagement from the stationarykcontacts. A Similar characters of referelnce indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views. 1 represents the back or base of the switch which is preferablyrof circular form and constructed lof fiber', rubber or other suitable Y In front of this base 2 which is secured at its rear edge to the edge of the base while its front end is closed by a fiat head, 3, thus forming together with the base a casing or housing in which are arranged the concealed and inaccessible parts of the switch., On the front side of the base the same is provided with anv inner annular row of fixed switch contacts 4, 5, 6, 60, and an outer annular row of movable switch contacts 7 8, 9, said rows being arranged concentrically with each other and with the axis of the easing. Each of these switch contacts is preferably constructed from a single piece ofsheet metal and comprises a fiat contact plate l0 provided 'on its central` portionV with a forwardly embossed locking projection 11, two fastening lugs `12, 13 arranged at the inner and Outer edges of the contact plate a'nd a wiring lug 14 arranged at one edge of the contact plate. Each of these contacts isfastened to the front side of the base by passing its fastening lugs rearwardly through openings in the base and clenching or bending the rear ends thereof against the rear side of the base so as to hold the contact plate firmly against the front' side of the base. Asshown in Figs. 2,3 and 4 the base is provided with an annular row of nouter openings 15 which receive the outer lugs ofthe outer row of fixed contacts, an intermediate annular row of openings 16 which lreceive the inner fastening lugs of the outer fixed contacts and the outer fastening lugs of the inner row of contacts, and a central opening 1.7 having its bore'provided with an annular row of notches 18 which receive the inner fastening Alugs of the inner row of fixed contacts.

In the case of an automobile or motor boat annular rows are connected respectively with a .battery 19 and a magneto 20 and one -of the contacts in the other row is connected with a spark coil 21 and means are provided whereby the spark coil contact may be connected either with the battery contact or the magneto contact vaccording as to whether it is desired to operate the igniter by a current derived from the battery or the magneto. As shown in Fig. 4 the battery and magneto are connected respectively by wires` 22, 23 with the two contacts 6, 60, in

ios

the inner row while the spark coil is connected by .means of a wire 24 with the con-` tact 9 in the outer row. The connection between each of these Wires and the respective contact is preferably effected by bendlng or clenching the wiring lug 14 of t-he respective contact around the wire .which is to be connected therewith, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. For convenience the wiring lug-s of. the outer contacts are arranged on the outer ends .thereof while the wiring lugs of the innercontacts are arranged at the inner ends thereof, as shown in the drawings.

25, 26 represent two Imovable contacts preferably of sheet metal which are rotatableconcentrically with reference to each "other and the two rowsof fixed contacts on the base and which are electrically connected and adapted-.to engage respectively with the inner and outer rows of fixed contacts.- These movableco'ntacts are preferably constructed in the form of arms, the inner or rear "arm bein comparatively short while the outer or' ront arm 26 is longer. Each of these contact arms preferably hasI a hub 27 at its inner and a contact finger 28 at its outer end and inclines rearstationary contacts it is sprung slightly away lfrom the latter in riding upon-the .projection thereof but when the recess of the contact 'arm comes Iinto line with the projection of the contact plate the resilience of the arm again returns the same to its nor' mal rearward position andholds the same reliably in its interlocked position relatively -to the fixed Lcontact. Upon: turning the outer contact arm so that it engages with the active contact 9 in the outer row and valso turning the inner contact arm so that.

it engages either the active battery contact 6 or the active magneto contact 60 of the inner row, the electric circuit will be closed through the coil and battery or through the coil and magneto, as the casemay be,

Iand thereby permit the ignition mechanism `of theengine tio operate. The outer cont-act arm is mounted' with its hub on the rear part of a tubular outer shaft 30 which is ,journaled in a bearing opening 31 formedl centrally ein the front wall or head of theA casing and turned by means of a finger piece -or disk- 32gsecured to this shaft in front4 of the head "of the casing. The inner contact arm is mounted on the inner end tionary contacts.

,The disk or finger piece of an intermediate tubular shaft 33 which is journaled within the` outer tubular shaft 30 and provided at its front or outer end with a linger piece or disk34 for turning the same. The outer and intermediate hollow shafts. are preferably coupled with their respective lcontact arms in such manner that these arms'are compelled to turn forwardly with their respective shafts but the latter are free to turn backwardly independently `of their contact arms, thereby rendering it possible to leave the finger pieces or disks 32, 34 in such position that any one attempting to discover the combination? of the switch will be deceived, thus frustrating his designs. The preferred for'mf` of coupling for thus connecting` each of the hollowr adjusting shafts with its respective, contact arm, shown in Fig. l6, is constructed in thefform of a ratchet mechanism and consists in mounting the hub of t-he contact arm loosely on lits 'companion hollow shaft and providing the rear side of the same with a clutch shoulder 35 facing in one direction, and mounting a collar 36 on the respective hollow shaft so that the same is compelled to rotate therewith, .and

providing the front side of this collar with a spring pawl or dog 37 which is adapted to engage with theshoul'der 35 on the hub of the'contact arm upon turning `the respective adjusting shaft forwardly,y but which trips past said shoulder upon turning this shaft in the opposite direction. It follows fromthis construction that when the dog of the respective adjusting shaft engages with the shoulder of the companion contact arm then these parts are compelled to turn together in one direction while upon turning this shaft in,l the opposite direction the contact arm remains at rest and they shaft moves independently thereof.

'Ehe contact arms, their shafts and the couplingl collars are all constructed of metal so that they are in electrical connection with f' each other and cause the electric circuit to be completed when the fingers of these contact arms are engaged with the proper sta- The finger pieces ordisks 32, 34, whereby'these arms and their shafts are turned are, however, preferably madeof rubber, ber or other insulating material.

34 of the intermediatel adjusting-shaft is made of somewhat smaller diameter than the finger piece o f *the outer adjusting shaft for convenience in manipulating the same. The ma/rginal partsof the finger pieces or disks 32, 34'of the outer or intermediate shafts and the adjacent 'part of the head of the casing are provided with dials consisting preferably of annular rows .of numbers or other guide marks whereby these disks may be set or turned to a predetermined position for bringing the contact arms into engagement tact arm out of engagement with the proper fixed contact. if the means for actuating this arm are not in a certain position relativer thereto. The preferred meansv for carrying this into effect consists in employing `two baflie disks 38, 39 of different diameters, the smaller baflieBS being arranged in front of the larger baffle 39. VThe front baftie 3S .is

secured to the inner or rear end of the hollow intermediate shaft' whilefthe rear baffle 39 is secured to the inner or rear end of a central shaft 40 which is arranged within the intermediate shaft and provided at its front or outer end with a finger piece or disk 4l preferably `of fiber or other similar material. This last mentioned finger piece is arranged in front of the intermediate finger piece and is preferably of smaller diameter andprovided on its marginal part with an annular row ofdial numbers, characters or marks which enable the centralshaft andfthe parts inount-ed thereon to be readily shifted to .a predetermined position relative to the intermediate and outer finger pieces or disks for closing the switch. Each of the batile disks is provided in its periphery with a notch or recess 42 the sides of which are beveled, so that the-same form cams or 'edges 43. lVhen the vdog of the intermediate hollow shaft is in engagement with the shoulder on the hub of the inner contact arm the notch of the front baffle disk 38 is in line with the inner contact arm7 and if at this time the rear or inner ba'liie `disk 39 has also been turned so as to bring its notch in line with the notch of the front batiie disk, then the inner' contact arm will bc free and spring forwardly in these coinciding notchesand engage its finger with the contact plate of the inner row, as shownin Figs and 5. Upon turning the front bathe disk backwardly or turning the rear battle disk forwardly or backwardly, the inner Contact arm will be defiected forwardly out of engagement with the corresponding stationary contact by reason of the engagement of the cam faces of one or the other of the baffle disks with the contact arm. While thus disengaged from the stationary contact the contact arm is in engagement with the periphery of the unnotched peripheral portion of either one or the other baffle disk, thereby preventing closing'of the electric eircuit'at this time notwithstandingl that this contact arm may be opposite the proper active contact of the inner row and the outer contact arm in engagement with the active contact of the outer row.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a person not conversant with the proper combination of the contacts to which the terminal wires are connected will be practically unable to close the circuit ofthe ignition system by means of this switch, thus rendering impossible the theft and unlawful use of automobiles and motor boats by unauthorized persons as is now frequently the case.

Means are provided for giving an alarm when an attempt is made by a person, not familiar with the switch, to close the same and operate the automobile orl motor boat,

thereby notifying persons near" at hand of such tampering and also frightening the offender. The preferred means for this purpose consists lin electrically connecting one` or more of the contacts in thel outer row .and ODC O1' IHOTC. COIltElCtS ln the inner IO\V with opposite ends of a signal or alarm circuit containing a battery 44 and an electric alarm bell voi gong 45, the contacts selected for this purpose being some of those which are not in use for closing the circuit of the electrical ignition system. As shown in Fig. 4 the desired stationary contacts 5,l 8, which are to be used in connection with the alarm device are connected with wires 46,47 leading to the alarm battery and bell by clenehy ing or bending the wiring lugs 14 of these contacts around their respective wires. Some of the inactive contacts in the inner and outer rows, as for instance ythe contacts 4, 7, are wholly idle and not connected with either the ignition system or the alarifi system. These last mentioned contacts are utilized by the owner or lawful operator, who is in possession ofthe combination, as neutral or safe landing places with which the contactv arms may be enga ged when the circuit of the switch is opened, and thus avoid ringing of' the alarm bell unnecessarily. y

It will be noted that my improved electric switch provides numerous difiiculties Vand pitfalls which are encounteredV by a person attempting to set the switch who is not familiar with the proper combination thus operating as a strong preventive or deterrent against the unlawful use by unscrupulous persons of motor vehicles or motor boats which are left unguarded in the public highways or elsewhere.

lf the combination of the switch should become known to persons who are liable to the wires 22, 23, 24 from the fixed contact plates with which they are connected, to another contact plate or plates selected for this purpose, this change being readily and easily effected without the necessity of employing special tools for this purpose.

I claim as my invention:

l. An electric switch comprising an anh nular row of fixed contacts, a rotatable contact arm adapted to engage with one or another of said fixed contacts, and a rotatable,

baille provided with a cani whereby said con-v tact arm may be disengaged from'said fixed contact.

2. An eletric switch comprisingA an anto the unrecessedy periphery of said baille and disengaged from said fixed con-tact.

3. An elect-ric switch comprising an an# nular row of fixed contacts, a rotatable contact arm adapted to engage one or another of said fixed contacts, a shaft on which said arm is loosely mounted, means for compelling said arm to move with said shaft in one direction but permitting the shaft to move independently of, the arm in the opposite direct-ion, and a baille mounted on said shaft and operating to disengage said arm from i .the fixed contact upon turning the shaft in dependently of the arm.

4. An electric switch comprising an annular rowof fixed contacts, a rotatable contact arm `adapted to engage one or another one. direction but permitting the shaft to move independently' of the arm in the opposite direction, a baille mounted on said shaft and operating to disengage said arm from the fixedcontact upon turning the shaft independently of the arm and another baffle movable independently of the first mentioned baille and operating to control the engagement and disengagement of the arln and fixed Contact.

5. Anjelectric switch comprising an annular row of fixed contacts, a rotatable contact arm adapted to engage one or another of said fixed contacts, a shaft on which said armi'is loosely mounted, means for compelling said arm tol move with saidv shaft in one direction but permitting the shaft to move independently of the arm in the opposite di rect'ion,`a baffle mount-ed on said shaftand operating to disengage said arm from the fixed tcontact upon 'turning the shaft independently of the arm, another baffle rota-Y table independently of the first mentioned baille and provided with a recess through which the contact arm may project into engagement with said fixed contact and a cam lat the side of said recess which operates to disengage said contact arm from said fixed contact upon turning the lastmentioned baflle, .and a central shaft arranged within the first mentioned shaft and carrying t-he last mentioned baille.

lVitnes's my hand this 6th day of August,- 

